Automatic marking and cutting of flexible sheets



June 11, 1968 R. s. FUNK 3,387,548

AUTOMATIC MARKING AND CUTTING OF FLEXIBLE SHEETS Filed Feb. 16, 1965 4Shets-Sheet 1 S g o o Ill CUTTER 1 VEN 0R. Aayerd. 7 L

ATTORNEY PRINTER June 11, 1968 R. S. FUNK 3,387,548

AUTOMATIC MARKING AND CUTTING OF FLEXIBLE SHEETS Filed Feb. 16, 1965 4Sheets-Sheet I fa aerJf A ATTORNEY June 11, 1968 R. s. FUNK 3,387,548

AUTOMATIC MARKING AND CUTTING OF FLEXIBLE SHEETS Filed Feb. 16, 1965 4Sheets-Sheet 5.

| r My} INVENTOR. iayer a. I'm/f aM M ATTORNEY June 11, 1968 .R. s.FUNK.

OMATIC MARKING AND CUTTING 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 16, 1965 UnitedStates Patent 3,387,548 AUTOMATIC MARKING AND CUTTING 0F FLEXIBLE SHEETSRoger S. Funk, R. Funk & Co. Inc., 755 N. Easton Road, Doylestown, Pa.18901 Filed Feb. 16, 1965,Ser. No. 432,952 9 Claims. (Cl. 95--73)ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for cutting prints from a travelingweb ac cording to the size of an original includes an optical sensingunitrfor sensing the leading edge of an original which is superposed onthe traveling web as the web and original enter a printer, a markingdevice for marking the side of the web which is away from the original,a second optical device for sensing the mark as the web leaves theprinter and a cutter controlled by the second optical device forsevering the web in accordance with the position of the mark.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for automaticallymarking and cutting printing stock to substantially accord with thelengths of associated tracings or the like.

While in some respects of general import, the specific illustrativeexemplification is in blue-printing machines (preferably diazo or dryprocess whiteprint machines) and the like, in which master drawings ortracings or the like, called broadly reproducibles, in sheet form mayhave successively different lengths, and with which sensitive sheets arejuxtaposed for printing, and automatically trimmed in length.

The invention is primarily concerned with the automatic marking of theweb of stock sensitive paper entering a printing machine, in properrelation to the leading edge of an instant reproducible, and trimmingsaid sensitive paper according to the marking into discreet sheets afterprinting is complete, and the instant section of exposed and developedsensitive paper has been discharged from the blueprint machine, thusmaking the entire blueprinting and trimming an automatic operation afterthe only manual operation of disposing and registering an instant masterreproducible. The master sheet reproducible is disposed in temporaryjuxtaposed frictional contacting but partially spaced relation to anarea of traveling sensitive sheet leading into the blue-printingmachine.

The invention is also of interest and importance as providing meansfeeding the trimmed completed blue-print into a sheet-folding apparatussuch as is disclosed in the US. patents to Funk, Numbers 3,052,464 and3,117,777, whereby the entire operation, from manual insertion of amaster reproducible or tracing into a printing machine, throughcompletion of the blueprint, automatic trimming of the sensitive stock,and automatic folding of the delivered blue-print into a packet ofpredetermined lateral dimensions, is a continuous automatic operation,

In carrying out the invention in an illustrative embodiment the web ofsensitive paper or sheet stock moves across a normally wide sheetwiselynarrow feed table of any commercial printing machine responsive to thepull of rollers, belts or the like, in the printer, beyond the table,and passes under a shielding plate of appreciably smaller area than thefeed table. The given master reproducible such as a tracing, usually ofappreciable area, is positioned over said small plate and over thesensitive sheet passing across the feed table and manually pressedagainst the traveling sheet to move therewith inwardly of the apparatus,toward a retroflective surface on said shield- "ice ing plate. Anelectrically controlled spray marking device is positioned below thesmall plate and below the sensitive sheet. A retroflective operatingoptical unit is disposed above the retroflective surface on said plate,having an optical axis intersecting the retrofiective surface Wellinwardly of the right hand margin of the feed table and brieflyenergizes the marking device, as the leading edge of the masterreproducible passes across the retrofiective surface and intercepts thelight beam of the retroflective unit. This places a sprayed mark ofquickdrying characteristics on the lower surface of the sensitive sheetvisually contrasting with the surrounding sheet, without affecting inany Way the reproducible.

The marked sensitive sheet then passes through the printing machine withthe reproducible, wherein the blueprint is formed on the sensitivesheet, and the latter alone passes down on a conveyor into an automaticcutter. As the continuous sensitive sheet progresses through said cutterthe lower surface of the sheet is juxtaposed to an upwardly searchingreflective photoelectric scanner. Interception of the latter by thevisually contrasting applied mark energizes the automatic cutter,preferably of the single revolution type, to cut the exposed sensitivesheet at a given distance from said mark and thus establishes a leadingedge at an end of said exposed sheet, while establishing the traiiingedge of a severed preceding sheet or blueprint. The margin of theblueprint at its trailing edge depends upon the closeness with which asucceeding reproducible follows a preceding reproducible into theprinter. When desired an additional mark can be applied to indicate thepassing of the trailing edge or end of the reproducible in which casethe waste sensitive sheet between prints can be cut out and disposed of.

It is among the objects of the invention:

To improve the art of blueprinting; to provide an apparatus and methodfor trimming sensitive stock to conform to the lengths of associatedreproducibles; to provide a unified system for introducing a tracing orlike reproducible and automatically completing the formation of ablueprint and the folding of the latter into a packet of predetermineddimensions; to provide means controlled by a tracing for applying a markon sensitive stock in predetermined relation to an edge of such tracing;to provide means responsive to an applied mark on a sheet in translationfor severing such sheet; to provide means for marking traveling stockmaterial at one point in its travel and utilizing the applied mark atanother point of HS travel to sever the sheet; to fully mechanize ablueprinting system in order that one operator can print, out and foldblueprints of varying lengths to correspond in length to reproduciblesof random lengths; to provide a means of sensing the entry of areproducible into a printing machine and of providing a correspondingmark on the sensitive printing material such that the reproducible isnot subjected to physical contact or the possibility of damage ormarking of any kind, and other objects and advantages will become moreapparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this description:

FIG. 1 represents a schematic elevation of a series of illustrativecomponents in an assembly by which introduction of a master reproducibleor tracing results automatically in a folded blueprint of suchreproducible delivered by the last component.

FIG. 2 represents a schematic section transverse of the conveyor feedtable of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 represents a plan of the conveyor feed table of FIG. 1, showingthe diagonal disposition of the conveyor and an illustrative finishedand severed blueprint aligned with a marginal guide for aligned feedinginto the sheet folding component.

FIG. 4 represents a fragmentary front elevation of a portion of aprinting machine, say of 4-2" width, fitted with tracing-sensing andsheet-marking apparatus.

FIG. 5 represents a fragmentary side elevation of the section of theprinter shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 represents a partial or fragmentary plan of a portion of theprinter table upon which is mounted the sensing and marking units.

FIG. 7 represents schematically and in skelatonized form a typicalorganization of printer and cutter showing in edge views the mastertracing or reproducible, the lower-posed sensitive sheet and theintermediate plate before the tracing intercepts the retrofiectivesystem with the feed table in disproportionally exaggerated size.

FIG. 8 represents the same as the tracing intercepts the light beam ofthe retrofiective system and energizes the marking device to provide amark on the lower surface of the moving sensitive stock.

FIG. 9 represents the same sensitive stock translated by appropriatefeeding means into the automatic cutter with the applied mark on thelower surface of the sensitive stock intercepting the lowerphotoeletcric sensing system, energizing the cutter.

Referring to FIG. 4 the section illustrates a feed table It} leadinginto a blueprint or whiteprint machine D, on or across which table thesensitive paper A passes, in a direction normal to the plane of thesheet containing the figure. Mounted above and in closely spacedparallel relation to the table 10, is a rigid plate 11 (FIGURE 5). Theupper surface of plate 11 at a desired area, such as an inboard corner,mounts a strip of retrofiective material B, for operative functionalassociation with a retrofiective sensing and signalling unit C. Thislatter comprises a vertical plate C1, mounting on its rear face aretroflective assembly C2 containing a light source and photoelectricdevices, and is connected to a control chassis containing controlrelays. This unit illustratively may comprise an organization ofphotoelectric control and retroflective scanner such, for purelyillustrative instance, as is described in Bulletin PA 621, dated January1963, of the Photoswitch Division of Electronics Corporation of America,Cambridge, Mass. Other systems may be used. A feature of novelty is arigid tube C3 mounted on the opposite face of the plate C1, concentricwith the light transmitter and receiver of the retrofiective assemblyC2. The tube C3 extends parallel to the rigid plate 11 and feed tableand is in suitable spacing thereabove. Illustratively this spacing maybe of the order of six inches, or so, to permit free passage of theoperators hand. A terminal tube C4 is telescoped into the tube C3 andinternally mounts a frontal face mirror C5 at 45 to the axis of the tubeand at 45 to the generally vertical sight axis radial of the terminaltube, concentric with a sight aperture C6 in the side of terminal tube.It will be understood that the terminal tube is so located that thesight aperture C6 is spaced far enough from the right hand margin of thetable 10 that an operators hand can pass beneath the tube C3 withoutpassing under the sight aperture C6. It will further be understood thatthe terminal tube C4 is so disposed that the reflective sight axiscentered through aperture C6 intersects the strip of retroflectivematerial B, and the point of intersection can be moved fore and aft inthe line of sheet feed, in a range of angular adjustments of terminaltube C4 and mirror C5, determined by the desired location of the signalmark on the lower face of the sensitive paper.

A lateral marginal guide line 12 is provided illustratively on the rightside of the apparatus, to which printing paper A, feeding from a roll 19(FIG. 7), below the feed table, is positioned, and the paper passesalong the top of the feed table 10, partially under plate 11, andultimately into the juxtaposed printing machine D.

Assuming that the sheet A is progressing across the feed table, and atracing E, or like reproducible, assumedly a large reproducible, isplaced upon the top of the printing stock A but overlying plate 11 insuch manner that the lateral edge of the tracing above the plate issuperimposed above the edge of the printing stock A below the plate 11on the feed table '10 and coincident with guide line 12. Being a largeprint or tracing E, most of the print surface is to the left of plate11, and the operators left hand can compress the instant tracing againstthe moving printing paper A, which is progressing across the feed tablethus progressing the reproducible E at the same rate of speed as theprinting paper, and the operators right hand can guide the often curledfront edge of such reproducible against the upper surface of plate 11and over and beyond same and ultimately with sheet A, into the printingmachine D. This presents a condition in which the plate 11 is partiallysandwiched between the tracing and the printing stock A, both of whichlater go in synchronism into the printing machine in the customaryfashion.

In the course of motion of the reproducible E over the plate 11, theleading edge E1 of the reproducible passes across the retrofiective axisunder the light beam thereof, reflected by the mirror C5 toward thelayer or strip of retrofiective material '3, and intercepts same to sucha degree that the changed retroflection against the mirror C5 and intothe receiver or scanning unit C2 actuates a relay thereof.

The retrofiective unit is such that its light source and receivingelements are mounted coaxially and when a light source within thescanner C2 is reflected by the mirror C5 it impinges against theretroflecting surface B, and the return beam reflected by the mirror C5illuminates the coaxially mounted receiving elements in C2, and thephotoelectric system functions, as normally evidenced by the holding orthrowing of a relay contact or contacts within the photoelectric chassisconnected in the scanning unit C2. The sensitivity of the unit isadjustable to detect lessor or greater amounts of radiant energyimpinging upon the reeciver element.

There are two important characteristics of this system. One is that theretrofiective light returns along the same path as the incident light,regardless of the angle at wh ch the incident light strikes theretrofiective strip B, thus permitting a wide range of angles relativeto the normal, and the other is that this special optical system is soorganized that it detects and utilizes reflective light without beingaffected by the outgoing beam.

Thus, when a tracing E is not being fed into the machine, or does notoverlie the retrofiective strip B, as in FIG. 7, the scanner detects thefull value return of its own light beam as retrofiected and mirrorreflected, and has a corresponding affect upon its relay system. When,however, a reproducible E is introduced to the top of plate 11, and ofcourse upon the sensitive sheet A extending to the left thereof, andsaid tracing is advanced, normally, at the same rate of speed as theingoing or infeeding sensitive printing paper, the leading edge E1 ofthe tracing, at some point, determined by the degree of rotation of theterminal tube C4 from that attitude at which the scanning axis is normalto the retrofiective surface B, to an attitude at which the scanningaxis is angularly displaced in the line of feed, intercepts the lightbeam impinging upon said retrofiective sheet or layer as in FIG. 8, anda reduced degree of retroflected light is reflected by the mirror intothe scanner, establishing a relay actuation used to actuate themarketing system to be described.

In the foregoing connection it may be noted that ordinary tracing paperwill effect suflicient interception of the incident light as to controlthe relays of the retroflective system. The same is true of the newerpolyester film base drafting media, such as Cronafiex, as these willalso effect adequate light interception. The invention is therefore notlimited to conventional tracing paper or the like, of the earlier art.

Before discussing the specific use of the marking on the lower surfaceof the printing sensitive paper, it may be noted that it is desirable tobe able to adjust the location of the registration or activating mark,as the position of the mark is related to the rate of traverse ofprinting paper through the system, and the mark eventually determinesthe width of border adjacent to the leading edge of the print at theinstant the sheet is cut, as will be described. The adjustment oflocation of the mark relative to the ultimate leading edge of thesensitive sheet is effected by rotating the terminal tube C4 and thusmirror C5 through a small range as mentioned above.

There are a number of instrumentalities associated with the feed tablehaving various important functions. At one point there is a cylindricalmasking unit 15, open at the bottom, and having an upper transverseclosure 16, the upper surface of which is generally in the plane of theupper surface of the feed table 10. The transverse closure 16 containsan oblong slot 17 defining the mark 21 to be applied instantaneously tothe lower surface of the moving sensitive sheet A, while Shielding theother areas of the moving stock. Beneath and suitably aligned with theslot 17, is the spray nozzle 18, of a conventional commercial air brushactuated by the control system 20 controlled by the relay system of theretrofiective unit C2. The spray unit emits an instantaneous pulse ofvery quick drying ink or the like (preferably black) which passesthrough the slot 17 against the lower surface of the sheet A, formingthe identification mark 21. The mark 21 effects a visual contrast to thesurrounding area of the lower surface of sheet A. Note that the valuabletracing is always out of contact with the spray emission and is alsoprotected by plate 11 and cannot be ruined or defaced by the spraying.

As the sensitive sheet A is moved in sheetwise feed through the printingmachine, and then having been guided by suitable conveying devices 13into an automatic cutter F to be described, it passes over and across afixed beam from a light source 22, normally reflecting from sheet Aagainst a photoelectric receiver 23 or the like system having relays orcontrolled contacts or the like. When the dark mark 21 passes across thebeam from the light source 22, the reflection into the receiver 23 isdiminished to such a degree as to actuate the relay system. The latter,through a solenoid, actuates a single revolution clutch in cutterorganization F giving a fast rotation to a rotary cutter 24, mountingblade 25, moving transversely of the sheet A and relative to a fixedanvil cutter 26 mounted on the cutter frame. This action severs thesheet A at a predetermined distance from the identifying mark or spot21. The cut simultaneously establishes the trailing edge of a precedingprint and the leading edge of the instant print.

It will be understood that the master reproducible or tracing enters theprinter in superposed relation to the area of sensitive printing stockit overlies, and both are fed through the printer by suitable conveyors,belts or rollers or the like. After exposure in the printer the tracingtakes a separate path away from the blueprint as is conventional.

The continuous web of sensitive paper upon which the print has beenmade, having been marked on its lower surface at 21 in proper relationto leading edge E1 of tracing E, passes on through the developing setionof the printer, through suitable conveyers and guides into the automaticcutter. Sensing of said mark and cutting as described above releases acut sheet 40 of the printed sensitive stock of proper dimension on analigning and feeding conveyer feed table 30, mounting a longitudinallateral upstanding guide 31. A longitudinally misaligned conveyor belt32 is provided for constant lfeed, upon which the completed blueprints40 are deposited, and by the angularity of the conveyer belt areprogressed laterally into guided relation to the lateral guide 31, asshown in FIG. 3. Illustratively the delivery end of the conveyer feedtable is provided with a light source 35, the output of which traverseof the blueprint is beamed against a photoelectric unit 36 controllingthe initiation of an automatic folding device 41, as for instance anautomatic folding device according to the said Funk patents.

It will be understood that with the apparatus running and all agenciesenergized, the operator simply inserts each of a series of masterreproducibles or tracings of random size in the printing machinesuccessively, in proper laterial alignment, as indicated in FIG. 7,until the leading edge passes under the light beam of the retrofiectiveunit, as indicated in FIG. 8, energizing the spray to apply the mark tothe traveling sensitive sheet. Thereafter, as indicated in FIG. 9, themark is used to energize the cutter, and the instant sheet is choppedoff at one end. Simultaneously the trailing edge of a preceding sheet isdefined.

The advantages of the invention will be manifest simply as animprovement in blue-printing machines, a will the fact that with theassembly of components disclosed, for the first time a completeaccurately folded blueprint can be produced by the mere insertion of atracing.

It is important to note that with the elevation of one retrofiectiveorganization and the spacing of the focal axis laterally away from theside edge of the printer, the use of the system disclosed effects nochanges from the conventional mode of introducing reproducibles into theprinting apparatus, as there is complete freedom for the operator tomanipulate sheets as usual. Further, as the reproducible in movingforward with the traveling sheet encounters no mechanical devices of anysort, but only a ray of light, and the spray device is intercepted bythe thin plate 11 over which the reproducible passes, no possible damageof any sort can happen to the valuable reproducible.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for cutting traveling sheets of printing stock inaccordance with the lengths of originals of varying sizes, comprising afeed table over which such stock travels, a plate in parallel spacedrelation to said feed table, said plate providing clearance for thestock as it travels over said table, a retrofiective strip on the uppersurface of said plate, a retrofiective scanning device havmg an opticalaxis incident on said strip, a stock marking device beneath said tablecontrolled by said scanning device, whereby an original imposed oversaid traveling sheet and said plate and moving with said sheetintercepts said axis with its leading edge, said scanning deviceincluding means to energize said stock marking device in response tointerruptions of a light beam projected by said scanning device alongsaid optical axis to form a mark on the lower surface of such sheet inpredetermined relation to said leading edge. I

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which the scanning device incorporates anadjustable mirror whereby the angle of said axis to the strip ofretrofiective material is adjustable along the line of movement of suchreproducible.

3. In a printer into which a traveling sheet of sensitive stock and asuperposed reproducible are fed for printing the stock, a generallyhorizontal feed table for such stock, a generally parallel plate spacedabove the feed table and fixedly mounted with respect thereto, saidplate projecting over said table and providing a clearance forunrestricted movement of said stock, said plate being adapted to supporta reproducible superposed thereon and on said stock and allowing forconjoint movement of the stock and reproducible relative thereto andinto the printer, a retrofiective unit having an axis parallel to saidplate and being vertically spaced from said plate far enough to permitmanual positioning of such reproducible over said plate with freedom,tube means concentric with saidaxis extending over said plate andmounting a frontal mirror at 45 to said axis and at 45 to aperpendicular of said plate, retrofiective material on the upper surfaceof said plate to be intersected by the mirror-reflected axis of theretroflective unit, a marking device mounted beneath said table andadapted to apply a distinctive mark to said stock at a point spacedbeneath said plate and means including said retrofiective unit foroperating said marking device in response to interruptions of a lightbeam projected by said retroiiective unit to said retrofiectivematerial.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3, in which the tube means is adjustable tochange the angle of the frontal mirror relative to the perpendicular tosaid plate.

5. Apparatus as in claim 3 in which the tube means has such appreciablelength that the mirror is adjustably displaceable laterally relative tosaid plate as to enhance the ability to position such reproduciblewithout interception of said mirror-reflected axis by the hand of anoperator.

6. In apparatus for making copies from originals of varying lengths,including a printer, mechanism for feeding a substantially continuousweb of copy paper through said printer and a cutter adapted to bepositioned adjacent the output of said printer for severing said Web,the combination comprising; a substantially flat feed table adjacent theinput of the printer, said table providing support for the web as ittravels into the printer, a flat plate fixedly mounted above said feedtable, said plate extending in parallel relationship to the surface ofsaid table and being spaced therefrom to provide clearance for the web,said plate further being adapted to separate the web from an originalsuperposed thereon as the Web and original advance towards said printer,a retroflective material on the upper surface of said plate, airetroflective unit adapted to project a beam of light along an opticalaxis incident on said retroflective material, a marking device mountedbeneath said table, said marking device being operative in response tointerruptions of said light beam as the leading edge of an originalcovers said retrofiective material to provide a visible mark on said webat a point on said web spaced beneath said plate.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, further including optical sensingmeans for sensing said mark and a cutter responsive to detection of saidmark by said sensing means for cutting said sheet along a line inpredetermined spaced relationship to said mark.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said marking device comprisesan ink sprayer for spraying ink on the underside of said Web along aline which impinges on said plate.

9. In apparatus for making copies from originals of varying lengths,including a printer, a device for feeding a substantially continuous webof copy paper through said printer and a cutter adapted to be positionedadjacent the output of said printer for severing said web, thecombination comprising; a substantially flat feed table adjacent theinput of the printer, said table providing support for the web as ittravels into the printer, a flat cantilevered plate extending over saidfeed table in parallel relationship to the surface of said table andbeing spaced therefrom to allow passage of the traveling Web, said plateproviding for separation of the web from an original superposed thereonas the web and original advance towards said printer, a reflectivematerial on the upper surface of said plate, an optical unit adapted toproject a beam of light along an optical axis incident on saidreflective material, a marking device mounted beneath said table, saidmarking device being controlled by said optical unit and being operativein response to interruptions of said light beam as the leading edge ofan original covers said reflective material to provide a visible mark onsaid web at a point on said web spaced beneath said plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,058,409 10/1962 Limberger --75NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD A. 'WINTERCORN, Assistant Examiner.

